News Release

Monday, February 28, 2011

LAPD Central Area In-Custody Death NR11091cj

UPDATED as of March 1, 2011

February 25,2011 Los Angeles: LAPD Force Investigation Division is investigating an in-custody death that occurred in Downtown Los Angeles.

On February 24, 2011, at about 8:20 p.m., LAPD Central Area patrol officers, along with a supervisor, responded to a gun assault call at a business in the 600 block of South San Julian. When the officers arrived, they saw four men who appeared to be struggling with a man. The four men were employees at the business. In order to subdue the man, officers used body weight, punches and a TASER numerous times. The officers also had to use three hobble restraints to control the man. Two restraints were used to control the suspect’s elbows and one was used to for his legs.

After subduing the suspect, officers carried the man to a waiting LAFD ambulance nearby. He was then transported to Los Angeles County Hospital (USCMC) where he was pronounced dead.

The TASER or Electronic Control Device has been used by the Department since the early 1980's. Since August 2007, the LAPD has been using the TASER model X-26. Officers receive four hours of TASER training and over 25 hours of use-of-force training. During the training process employees experience firsthand the effects of the device. Officers are trained to use the device when a person’s actions could cause serious injury to officers and others. Officers who were involved in the incident are as follows: